Classical Christmas Playlist for Kids by Sassy Mama, Haylie Ecker!

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While we’ll never tire of the Christmas excitement that lights up our children’s eyes, there’s a real possibility this is not the case when it comes to the ubiquitous holiday music gracing its presence… that 156th version of Jingle Bells may well tip you over the edge. So here is the antidote to Christmas cheese. It’s a classical Christmas music mix of stars, designed to restore your sanity, expose your kids to good music, and ensure that Santa visits your home first. (Rumour has it that he enjoys music by Corelli with Mrs Claus’s mince pies!)

3. BENJAMIN BRITTEN: CEREMONY OF CAROLS, OP 28: THIS LITTLE BABE (Choice recording: Westminster Cathedral Choir).It’s a fiery and dramatic carol, with driving rhythms to excite your Little Babes. Actually, the entire Ceremony of Carols is worth diving into for a taste of Britten’s absolute genius in writing for voices.

4. DAVE BRUBECK: WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR.What is Christmas without wishing upon a star? Dave Brubeck recently passed away, and this lush-tastic track is included in his memory, forever a shining star, now from above.

10. BARBRA STREISAND: WHITE CHRISTMAS.
Lashings of full cream egg nog, a kick of nutmeg, and a voice thick as honey with sugar for extra sweetness. She sings the line, “May your days be merry and bright” like no other. Managing to marry nostalgia with celebratory chillax, we could listen to this track on repeat for the whole holiday season. Yes! We love Barbra!

11. TCHAIKOVSKY: WALT DISNEY’S FANTASIA: CHINA DANCE.Positively the most delightful sugar rush on stage! With a nod to Hong Kong and the Mainland, Fantasia’s China Dance features the cutest candy mushrooms we’ve ever seen; they’re red and white for Christmas perfection! Alternatively click here for more from Fantasia.

17. MEL TORME: THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE). (Choice recording: Mel Tormé singing himself).Hilariously, Mel Tormé composed this song in the height of summer, writing frosty lyrics to cool down in a time (1954) long before air conditioning! His result was producing the epitome of Christmas warmth. With a voice as luscious as sweet honey matched with a melody to die for, this track is ridiculously and unbelievably good! Mistletoe, anyone?

21. ARVO PART: CHRISTMAS LULLABY: ESTONIAN PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER CHOIRPerhaps the most sublime Christmas lullaby ever written. Hush little babies, and close your eyes so Mama and Papa can get on with preparing Father Christmas’ midnight snack!

22. BJORK: IT’S OH SO QUIET.Bjork is a gift! Her genius is that she uses her voice as an instrument, and is maybe more an artist than musician. She released this awesome track as a novelty Christmas single in 1995.

23. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD.“I see trees of green….” Millions of green Christmas trees around the world, decorated like colourful candy, lighting up the night, it’s truly A WONDERFUL WORLD!

For a magical live experience, why not take your children to Christmas with the Philharmonic? The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will lead audiences on a festive journey, with a varied program including Mozart’s Toy Symphony, enchanting winter music from Haydn’s oratorio The Seasons, and choruses from Handel’s nativity oratorio Messiah. Australian soprano Sarah Crane brings silver-toned beauty to the florid soprano parts and the Hong Kong Children’s Choir brings the evening to a rousing conclusion with a selection of timeless Christmas carols.

FOR THE EXTRA MAGICAL AT-HOME EXPERIENCE: the much anticipated sequel to the Oscar-nominated Christmas animation classic The Snowman: “THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG”, premieres on Britain’s ITV December 24 at 8pm. Composed by award-winning film composer Ilan Eshkeri and ex-Razorlight’s fabulous Andy Burrow’s, this score defines magic! I recently recorded its solo violin parts at London’s Abbey Road Studios, and it’s one of my favourite projects to date. This animation story will make you cry with beauty at least three times. It’s well worth the download when available on December 29, 2012 here.

Until then, you can download the soundtrack alone here, which I’m playing on with a host of other amazeballs musicians. It’s is a most perfect and magical Christmas present for children and adults alike!

Haylie

Internationally acclaimed violinist Haylie Ecker if former first violinist of the multi-platinum award-winning electric string quartet Bond, which has sold over four million albums. She left the group in 2008 and now lives in Hong Kong with her husband and two gorgeous children. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.